Innehållsförteckning för Winter 2021 från Overland Journal

SPARE PART PUZZLE Thank you for your recent podcast on overland expedition campers; it was very interesting. One question that I don’t think you addressed is how suitable for international travel are campers based on American trucks (F-350, etc.)? Some people seem to think that getting spare parts for them in Zambia or Mongolia would be difficult compared to, say, a Fuso-based vehicle. Jeff Kinney RESPONSE The original Fuso is an excellent choice for international travel, as the chassis and drivetrain were shared with global offerings. Unfortunately, newer Fusos now use domestic engines and transmissions and no longer benefit from that worldwide serviceability. In general, most large expedition campers of any make suffer from parts obscurity and often require parts and even technicians to be flown in for significant repairs.…

As overlanders, we are determined to leave little physical evidence of our interaction with nature. We seek to preserve the beautiful spaces we are fortunate enough to visit, and hopefully, leave them better than when we arrived. Fireside Outdoor, founded in 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona, shares these goals and aims to help others Leave No Trace. For heat, cooking, or just for ambiance, the Pop-up pit lets you add fire to your adventures while leaving no impact on the ground. This attractive fire pit is designed so you take the remnants of your fire away, ashes and all. Once your fire is extinguished, the innovative materials of the pit cool quickly, making fire dispersal hassle-free. It can be used with an existing fire ring or in places without access to…

The E-Clik starts with a Made-in-USA shock, manufactured and assembled by SDi using a combination of in-house (and locally machined) parts, and adapted electronic components. Next is the proprietary touch-screen controller that replaces the transfer case shifter on the Jeep JL, incorporating a touch screen and dial configuration to review and change settings. The system is controlled by an ECU that gathers data from 12 different inputs, including the supplied eight-axis inertial measurement unit. The system adjusts the damping of all four shocks in real time, autonomously and transparently, with no input needed from the user. Additionally, there is a user-selectable Road Mode and Trail Mode. For advanced users, the system allows extensive manual (via the touch screen) adjustability and sensitivity biasing. To accommodate for a heavy overland load, the…

We had been warned by European friends and the US government travel advisory not to travel to Turkey. The government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was said to be sliding towards totalitarianism while struggling with terrorism and the war in Syria. The relationship between NATO allies Germany, the United States, and Turkey was particularly strained for many well-documented reasons. Though we are not German or American, we are large and blonde and may be mistaken for either nationality. A month earlier in 2018, while waiting out winter on a friend’s island in Greece, we decided that we would travel to the country but be careful of our statements on social media while there and cautious of our activities, particularly near military installations. We had to make the same decision when we…

I wake up to the van swaying in the I wind like a gentle nudge from Mother Nature, letting me know it’s time to start the day. I wasn’t surprised; we are in some of the windiest latitudes of our planet, so it was expected. I reach for my phone to see what time it is: 6:00 a.m. Another gorgeous day, I think to myself and roll over to look out the window. Man, what a view. Torres is looking especially nice with the cotton-candy-colored clouds shape-shifting around the jagged peaks. Just then, the Webasto heater kicks on at 6:05 a.m., right on schedule. Give it 10 more minutes, I tell myself; that’ll take the chill off. This van has spoiled me. As the interior temps start to rise, I…

Chris Burkard is best known for his work as an adventure photographer. But in more recent years, he’s built a warranted reputation as an ultra-endurance athlete. In the summer of 2019, he set a new solo record on Iceland’s WOW Cyclothon, completing the 844-mile distance in 52 hours, 36 minutes, and 19 seconds. Chris returned in the summer of 2020 to complete a world-first, bikepacking 606 miles East to West through the Highlands of Iceland with Emily Batty, Eric Batty, and Adam Morka. Forever a glutton for punishment, he returned in 2021 for another bikepacking first and quite possibly his most demanding challenge to date, an unsupported winter fat bike expedition North to South through the highlands. This epic expedition would see Chris, Rebecca Rusch (American ultra-endurance pro-athlete), and Angus…

More than one-quarter of all planet-warming greenhouse gases emitted each year result from food production, so it’s not a trivial matter to consider with what we load our forks. Besides, it’s in our best interest. The very places we explore for their exotic beauty will be less enjoyable the more unsustainable foods that are produced and consumed. Yet, eating sustainably can be a tricky mission when traveling because of the unfamiliarity of language, food sources, and recycling practices. But here is the good news: the independent character of overland journeys lends itself to smart food choices. Rather than gorging down a resort buffet that relies on imported foods, over-landers have the perfect opportunity to use their wits and consumer power to reduce the environmental impact. Here are some tips to…

Finding an Arctic fox in the northern end of Russia was a wish we had for a long time. We dreamt of seeing one of those scenes seen in documentaries, showing a fox jumping headfirst into the snow to catch a small rodent. While returning from our attempt to reach the 70˚N latitude in that country, suddenly, in the middle of the road was an animal we could not identify, although we could agree it was a canine. Could it be an Arctic fox? Or maybe a wolf? I found my camera and enabled the zoom of my lens to get a photo. The lens allowed us to confirm it was a white canine, but it was too big to be a fox. We were still wondering if it was…

KIRK WILLIAMS Kirk Williams is an adventure photographer, overlander, dreamer, and quadriplegic. He has traveled the entire United States of America numerous times, making his way as far north as Fairbanks, Alaska, and as far south as Ushuaia, Argentina. While traveling, Kirk sets an example for other wheelchair users to learn from. He uses photography to showcase the high moments as well as the challenges faced with being on the road while being a quadriplegic. In 2018, Kirk founded Impact Overland. Impact Overland’s goal is to teach others about adaptive overlanding while also raising awareness and fundraising to help bring mobility to those who can’t afford such equipment as a wheelchair. GRAEME BELL Graeme Bell was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Together with his wife and two children, he has…

When I think about ways to add enjoyment to my cooking experience, it’s nearly always about a new recipe or a fresh set of knives. Maybe even some new pans, but a spatula was never on the list. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to test out Dryad’s lightweight titanium spatula, and I was pleasantly surprised at the experience. The off-centered design seemed slightly odd at first, but it quickly became apparent this was a purpose-built tool. The flat tip slices right under food when stirring, and the offset 20-degree ergonomically designed lift handle provides access to a whole new way of scooping food onto your plate. When you are really going at it on a cast-iron pan, the spatula has the perfect amount of flex. It’s available in…

LIMESTONE ROCK FORMATIONS REFLECTING IN THE WATER, islands rising from the salt plains, mountains streaked with greens, purples, and reds, and spherical rocks spread all around us for hundreds of meters. This is the Mangystau Oblast, arguably the most surprising part of Kazakhstan and a true paradise for overlanders. The Mangystau Region is bordered by the Caspian Sea on the west, the Aral Sea in the northeast, and Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in the east and south, and has never been a densely populated region. Although there is some evidence of sites dating from the Neolithic Period, the first written records date only from the 9th century AD. From then on, the Mangystau Region has been inhabited by Turkmens, Mongols, Kazakhs, and Russians. Testimony to those early days of settlement includes…

When I venture into the great outdoors in search of nature’s simplicity, there are many items that I am eager to leave at home, like my laptop, cellphone, and internet connection. But one thing that I’ve come to consider essential gear in the backcountry is the humble camp table. If you doubt my enthusiasm, just ask yourself: how often do you come across a perfectly flat elevated surface in the backcountry? Occasionally, a tree stump or rock might do the trick, but when you need to prep dinner for your whole family, a solid, level surface is worth its weight in gold. Camp tables come in a surprising array of sizes, shapes, and finishes (trust me, I dove deep on this topic). Some are large and robust, while others are…

The Girl, Anne Louise, and I were married on a Saturday in early April 1983, the ceremony and celebration taking place at her parents’ home near Durban in the [Kwazulu-] Natal Province of South Africa. She is an adventurous sort, and for our honeymoon, we decided to explore the north-easterly coast of South Africa, the Maputaland Coast, by Jeep. Known to early Portuguese sailors as Medaos do Ouro, the Maputaland Coast stretches close to 300 kilometres from Saint Lucia on the northeast coast of South Africa to Inhaca Island off the Machangulo Peninsula on the southeast coast of Mozambique. Because of the ongoing civil war in Mozambique, we would limit our exploration to the South Africa section. That is, from Saint Lucia northwards to Kosi Bay, close to the Mozambique…

It’s common wisdom in overlanding circles that oldervehicles are the smart choice for exploring remote and seldom-visited corners of the globe. Because they were built without computers, function perfectly fine without the need of fancy gizmos, and are made with virtually no plastic, it’s widely believed they’re simpler and more durable. It’s also generally accepted they can be repaired with little more than baling wire and a hammer, which is probably a good thing deep in the jungles of the Congo. While traveling through 55 countries and covering more than 100,000 miles through Latin America and all the way around Africa, I met all manner of people driving a wide range of vehicles from shiny-new, million-dollar Unimogs to $500 beaters literally falling apart. With my eyes and ears open for…

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the Flex Canvas pants from Livsn Designs have quickly become my go-to apparel choice for just about anything other than winter sports. They are made from 7.3-ounce EcoFlex duck canvas which is 58 percent GOTS certified organic cotton, 40 percent recycled polyester, and 2 percent spandex. The name Livsn comes from the Swedish saying livsnjutare, which basically means one who loves life deeply—an enjoyer of life. While I certainly feel like this phrase describes me well, the bigger story here is the sustainable approach and smart features behind the Flex pants. Starting with a mix of environmentally conscious stock materials, Livsn creates garments that are designed to last. Their prices are not what I would call inexpensive, but they reflect a more responsible…

PLEASE VISIT HTTPS://EXPEDITIONPORTAL.COM/THE-BEST-OVERLAND-FRIDGE-FREEZERS/ FOR VIDEO FOOTAGE AND FURTHER DETAILS ON THE REVIEWED FRIDGE-FREEZERS. Having interviewed hundreds of overlanders, we often ask what their favorite piece of kit is, and almost sheepishly, many reply “my fridge.” The reasons vary, like making ice for margaritas, keeping ice cream frozen for the kids, or preserving that fillet of wild Atlantic salmon for a BBQ in the Maze District. Regardless of why, the 12-volt fridge is a much-loved accessory for the vehicle-based traveler. Each overlander is different, some eschewing nearly all comforts, crossing continents on a motorcycle with the most minimal of equipment, and there are four-wheeled counterparts that bring everything, including the Nespresso coffee maker. Both have their merits, but few luxuries match the fridge for pure homeyness, improving culinary outcomes paired with…

The road wound steeply through the mountains, hugging the forested flanks in a dizzying series of switchbacks. Waterfalls pounded onto the surface, gouging the mud into angry little streams. And all the time, the rain kept falling, falling, falling—slamming into the earth with such force I couldn’t hear my engine. There was no one else on the road today; everyone, except mad dogs and an Englishwoman, had sensibly stayed at home. Squinting against the deluge, I gripped the handlebars with cold, soddenhands, repeating, keep going, keep going, through gritted teeth. In a perverse way, I was glad to see the arrival of the rains, to bear witness to their flaying, visceral power. But I’d never ridden in worse conditions. I was travelling across the remote Northeast Indian state of Arunachal…

I live in Colorado near the Rocky Mountains, where I we have plenty of winter hazards that can slow you down on the road. Whiteout conditions due to high winds, avalanches, and, of course, heavy snow are all possibilities that could disable your vehicle or force you to spend an unplanned night in your rig, waiting out bad weather. But the Rockies aren’t unique in this way. Many regions of the US (and temperate locations around the world) experience similar hazardous winter conditions. Fall’s arrival in the Northern Hemisphere is a good reminder that winter is just around the corner and is the perfect time to consider assembling a cold-weather emergency kit for your overland or commuter vehicle. In the case that your vehicle becomes disabled due to bad weather…

Arkansas’ well-earned moniker of the “Natural State” is a nod to its playground of mountains, forests, and streams, natural resources which hikers, motorcyclists, mountain bikers, campers, and, of course, overlanders put to good use. The Ozarks, in northwest Arkansas and southern Missouri, are the better known of the state’s two mountain ranges. But a little farther south, just beyond the Arkansas River Valley, are the Ouachita Mountains, an east-to-west arrangement of parallel ridges that stretch into Oklahoma, with elevation topping out at about 2,700 feet. Solitude is the norm in this relatively undeveloped region of the Ouachitas, typified by striking rocky outcroppings and dramatic mountaintop views. While this route traverses the range over three to four days, the area affords plentiful opportunities for exploration beyond the trail. GENERAL INFORMATION While…

French Toast is a treat usually reserved for home, but I’ve concocted an easier way to bring this little extravagance to the road, and it does not disappoint. It’s a breakfast casserole I have made for years now for family, friends, and clients alike. And it is vegetarian, so it hits the mark for almost anyone. We like to indulge on our camping excursions, and while this breakfast is nice and sweet on its own, my family likes just a little bit of maple syrup on top. Crispy bacon or sausages add a savory addition, and fresh fruit such as a mixture of fresh pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries complement the blueberries. You can also use the pineapple juice as a sweetener over the fruit. With some easy prep, you…